Biased Partition

Sunset!

Beyond the slanting sun, ten thousand white gulls dotted the sky, while flowing water wound around the mountain village.

The assessment had ended that morning. The students had the day off today, and many chose to leave the Martial Hall and return home for a visit.

For the past six months, the Martial Hall had required them to practice their punches every day. Many students from the villages below had not returned home even once during those six months.

Lin Chen was heading back to the village, and Gu Fei and two other youths from the same village were doing the same.

The four returned home together, chatting and laughing along the way. Everyone had passed the assessment, and the pressure in their hearts was gone. Even Lin Chen found that his steps felt somewhat lighter.

After entering the village, the villagers greeted the four of them one after another.

"You're back. How was your studying at the Martial Hall?"

"You little rascals weren't around, and our village has been a little quieter."

At fourteen or fifteen, they were at the age when boys were most likely to be mischievous and get into trouble. Lin Chen and the others had caused no shortage of trouble in the village before.

After half a year at the Martial Hall, however, everyone had matured considerably.

Learning martial arts at the Martial Hall represented not only hope, but also pressure.

Pressure was what could make a youth mature the fastest.

"Chenzi, want to come sit at my house?" Gu Fei asked.

"Forget it. I'll go home first."

"All right, then. We'll meet at the village entrance tomorrow morning."

After parting from Gu Fei, Lin Chen split up with the other two youths at the crossroads. He did not linger either, heading straight for his own home.

His house was at the end of the village, requiring him to cross more than half of it.

When he reached the gate, Lin Chen saw his mother drying fishing nets through the fence enclosing the yard.

"Mother!" Lin Chen shouted.

"Chenzi?"

Mother Lin froze at first. When she looked up and saw Lin Chen outside the fence, her face filled with delighted surprise.

"You've really grown taller. Your eldest brother told me you'd grown by a whole head, but I didn't believe him."

She had not seen her son for half a year. Looking at her younger son, who was already taller than her, Mother Lin was overwhelmed with excitement and kept circling around him.

Her eldest son, Lin Liang, had visited the Martial Hall several times, and whenever he returned, he would tell her about his younger brother's situation.

"You've gotten a little thin." Mother Lin felt a pang in her heart.

Lin Chen smiled. "Mother, I'm growing now, so of course I'll shoot up. It's normal to be a little thin. Our instructor said I'll fill out in a few months. Are Father and Big Brother working in the fields?"

"Your father and your brother are watering the crops. Why did you come back today?"

"Mother, I missed you."

"You only know how to say sweet things to your mother. If you really missed me, would you have come back only once in six months?"

Mother Lin was not fooled. Still, she was delighted by the changes in her son. Before going to the Martial Hall, her younger son had been rather sullen. Who would have thought that after going to the Martial Hall, he would not only seem more cheerful, but also become so sweet-tongued?

Being sweet-tongued was good. It would make finding a wife easier in the future.

"Did you pass the Martial Hall's assessment?"

"Mother, you really are a divine predictor. You guessed it just like that."

Lin Chen flattered her. Mother Lin smugly said, "You're my son. How could I not know every little scheme in your belly? Since you passed the assessment, your grandfather should support you in learning martial arts. I'll tell him about it tonight. Go to the fields and find your father. When he comes back, have him buy a jug of wine at the village entrance. Your grandfather likes to drink."

"All right. I'll go see whether Father and Big Brother need help."

Lin Chen agreed, took the hoe from the house, and headed toward their fields.

The three father and sons were delighted to see one another. Seeing that a small patch of the field had yet to be watered, Lin Chen helped carry water and finish irrigating it. Only after the work was done did they return home.

After the three returned home and put down their farm tools, they walked toward the ancestral house where their grandfather lived.

The Lin Family had not yet divided their household, so the entire extended family ate together in the ancestral house.

"I was wondering why Second Sister-in-law had suddenly taken the initiative to prepare the food today. It turns out Chenzi is back." A woman sweeping the front courtyard saw Lin Chen enter and spoke with a smile.

"Second Aunt." Lin Chen greeted the woman sweeping the ground.

"You've grown quite a bit. You're almost as tall as your father." Second Aunt examined Lin Chen with a beaming smile. She was just about to say more when a little girl walked in through the gate, clutching a greenish mud cake in her hand.

"Oh dear! Didn't I tell you not to go near the chicken coop? And you're still holding chicken droppings!"

Second Aunt could not sit still any longer. She rushed over and knocked the chicken droppings from the little girl's hand. The girl only giggled nonstop. When her little eyes landed on Lin Chen, however, they showed a look of unfamiliarity.

"Xi'er, you don't recognize your Fourth Brother anymore?"

"F-Fourth Brother."

Lin Xi had a habit: whenever she was thinking, she would unconsciously put her finger into her mouth and suck on it.

Babies were fond of sucking their fingers. Some stopped after growing up, while others kept the habit until they were five or six.

There was still chicken droppings on his younger cousin's hand. When she put her finger into her mouth, Second Aunt gave her a savage beating. This time, she could not laugh anymore and burst straight into tears.

Seeing his younger cousin beaten into tears, Lin Chen felt somewhat awkward, but it seemed to have nothing to do with him.

"Why are you crying during mealtime?"

An aged voice rang out. Grandfather Lin Chaoyang walked out of the main room with his hands behind his back. When he saw Lin Chen, he paused for a moment before calling toward the kitchen, "Chenzi is back. Youngest Daughter-in-law, add two more eggs in a while so Chenzi can build up his strength."

"Thank you, Grandfather. I've completed six months of study at the Martial Hall." Lin Chen let a hint of meaning seep into his words.

"Six months is enough. It doesn't matter if you were eliminated. Work hard at farming in the future. If you want to learn a trade, you can also tell your father." Grandfather wore a kindly expression. "In a few years, it'll be time for you to take a wife."

"Father is eager to hold a great-grandson. Unfortunately, Ming'er has to study martial arts, so we can only count on Huier and Chenzi."

First Aunt and First Uncle entered from outside at that moment. When First Aunt saw Lin Chen, she said with a beaming smile, "Our Chenzi has grown quite handsome. He'll be able to marry a good wife."

"Sister-in-law, our Chenzi didn't come back because he was eliminated. He passed the Martial Hall's assessment and came back to tell everyone the good news."

Mother Lin walked out of the kitchen. Hearing her sister-in-law's words, she felt displeased. What did she mean by saying it was unfortunate that Ming'er had to study martial arts? Her son could continue studying martial arts too.

After Mother Lin spoke, the main room fell silent.

First Aunt and Second Aunt's mouths hung wide open, their faces full of shock. Only after a long while did Second Aunt react. "I remember the family never gave you any money. He still passed the assessment? Back then, when Lin Ming's strength reached two hundred pounds, it cost three taels of silver."

"That's precisely why Chenzi has a talent for martial arts. He'll certainly achieve something in the future."

Second Aunt's unthinking remark made Mother Lin beam with delight. Lin Chen noticed First Aunt's face darken at once.

"That's not how it is. My Ming'er reached two hundred pounds of strength in his fourth month at the Martial Hall. Chenzi has only just returned, which means he reached it this month. There's still a gap between them."

First Aunt's words made the corner of Lin Chen's mouth twitch. If he had been given three taels of silver, he could have reached two hundred pounds of strength in four months too.

"Besides, although Father didn't give the money, that doesn't mean Second Sister-in-law didn't. And Liang'er has been catching fewer and fewer eels these past few months."

The implication was that Mother Lin had secretly provided the money.

"What do you mean by that, Sister-in-law?" Mother Lin was furious. She planted her hands on her hips. "What do you mean, I gave the money? Every month, all the family's money is handed over to Father. Where would I get any money? How much can Liang'er earn catching eels in a month? Can it compare with what the family has spent on Lin Ming?"

"I'm only afraid that certain people earn money secretly and don't hand it over. I didn't name anyone. Why are you feeling guilty?"

"You didn't name anyone, but weren't you talking about my family?"

"Enough. Stop arguing. What are you quarreling about in front of the younger generation?"

Grandfather scolded them and looked toward Lin Chen. Lin Chen did not beat around the bush. "Grandfather, you once said that if I passed the Martial Hall's assessment, the family would support me in learning martial arts."

"The family has to support a second person in learning martial arts too?"

Before Grandfather could answer, Second Aunt's words were already filled with worry. Her Huier had not studied martial arts, while the family's money had all been spent on Lin Ming. If Lin Chen were added to the burden, would her family not end up working solely to support the eldest brother's and youngest uncle's families?

"Second Sister-in-law, this is what Father promised Chenzi back then. None of you objected at the time." Mother Lin immediately retorted.

"I'm not opposed to Chenzi learning martial arts." Second Aunt explained, "I'm saying that our family truly doesn't have that much money. Chenzi can learn martial arts if he wants, but in my view, we should divide the money we give Lin Ming each month and give part of it to Chenzi."

There was only so much money in the family anyway. Her family did not care whether it went to Lin Ming or Lin Chen.

"No!" First Aunt immediately refused. "Ming'er is at a crucial stage in his martial arts training. He's about to cultivate Essence Energy. This is precisely when money is needed. I heard Ming'er say that the families of his fellow disciples give them four or five taels a month. Ming'er is sensible and knows our family doesn't have that much, so he hasn't asked for more."

"Five taels of silver? Even if he dared ask for that, our family couldn't produce it." Mother Lin snorted. "It's not as if no one in the village practices martial arts. Most give up after failing to cultivate Essence Energy for two years. Only our family is still supporting him. If word got out, other families would laugh at us."

"How would they laugh? Once Ming'er succeeds, he'll be the first person in our village in the past three years to cultivate Essence Energy. The fortune-teller even said that Ming'er is the Qilin Child of our Lin Family."

"If I gave the fortune-teller ten copper coins, he could immediately change his tune and say Chenzi is our Lin Family's Qilin Child."

"Stop arguing." Grandfather interrupted the quarrel between the two sisters-in-law with a dark expression. He looked at Father Lin. "Youngest, take Chenzi to see Master Zhang tomorrow. I'll give you half a string of cash to buy some gifts for the apprenticeship ceremony. Have him learn Bamboo Weaving from Master Zhang."

Lin Chen's pupils contracted. He had not expected Grandfather to refuse.

"Grandfather, I want to learn martial arts. I don't want to learn Bamboo Weaving." Lin Chen's attitude was equally resolute.

"Silly child, so what if you passed the Martial Hall's assessment? The farther you go in martial arts, the more money it costs. Your eldest brother has already spent more than forty taels. Even if you spend less, you'll still need twenty taels. The family has spent all its money supporting your eldest brother's martial arts training. We couldn't borrow any more even if we wanted to."

"Grandfather, I won't need that much money."

Grandfather Lin Chaoyang shook his head. How much martial arts training cost could not be settled with mere words.

Ming'er had also said he would need only twenty taels, but he had already spent forty taels by now.

Three days ago, Ming'er had returned home from the county. He said there was a kind of Secret Medicine in the city. After taking it, he would be able to cultivate Essence Energy, but it was very expensive, costing ten taels per dose.

The last of the family's money had already been taken by Ming'er.

Once Ming'er cultivated Essence Energy, the family would still have to scrape together the tuition for the martial arts school. By then, they might even have to mortgage the family's Land Deed and borrow money from the Money House.

Ming'er had already spent so much learning martial arts. They could not let him cultivate Essence Energy in the end, only to lack the money for his martial arts school tuition.

"Father, did Lin Ming ask for money again the last time he came home?" Mother Lin seemed to have thought of something. Her gaze moved between Grandfather and First Aunt, and First Aunt did not dare meet her eyes.

Mother Lin understood. The family's money had likely all been taken by Lin Ming. She said coldly, "If Father refuses to give us money, I'll borrow it myself."

"Second Sister-in-law, don't act rashly. Borrowed money has to be repaid." Second Aunt immediately objected. The Lin Family had not yet divided their household. If Third Sister-in-law borrowed money, their family would have to acknowledge a share of the debt as well.

"If you're afraid the debt will be counted against you, then let's divide the household!"

As soon as Mother Lin said this, the scene fell silent again. Second Aunt's eyes darted slyly as she pondered something.

"Third Sister-in-law, how can you say such nonsense?" First Uncle said unhappily.

"What's wrong with what I said?" Mother Lin shouted over him. "Why is it that only your Lin Ming can learn martial arts, while our Chenzi can't?"

"Isn't it because the family has no money?" First Uncle said helplessly. "If we had money, Father would certainly let Chenzi learn martial arts."

"If there's no money, then borrow some! Otherwise, why should the money we earn be spent on Lin Ming? Now that our Chenzi needs money to learn martial arts, your family refuses to shoulder it? Do all the good things in the world belong to your family?"

Mother Lin's words left First Uncle speechless. Seeing this, First Aunt cut in. "Third Sister-in-law, our family has already borrowed quite a lot. We can't borrow any more."

"Whether I can borrow it or not is my business. You don't need to worry about that. Just tell me whether your family recognizes this debt."

Mother Lin's gaze was sharp as she stared at First Aunt. First Aunt felt guilty and did not dare meet her eyes.

Lin Chen looked at his silent grandfather, then at First Aunt's guilty expression, and gave a self-mocking smile.

He understood now. First Aunt only wanted to suck his family dry, while refusing to bear the cost of his martial arts training.

As for Grandfather, it was not merely sunk costs that made him continue supporting his eldest grandson's martial arts training. He was truly biased.

"Youngest, are you going to let your wife talk like this?" Grandfather Lin Chaoyang frowned at Father Lin.

Father Lin pleaded, "Father, Chenzi wants to learn martial arts, so let him go. Our family will repay the debt even if we have to borrow the money."

"What do you understand? Learning martial arts is a bottomless pit. Do you think it only costs a few taels of silver? What will your family use to repay it then?"

Lin Chaoyang shouted angrily, but Lin Chen could not help saying coldly, "So learning martial arts is not a bottomless pit for my eldest cousin? May I ask, Grandfather, am I the only one who isn't your grandson?"

"Bastard!"

Lin Chaoyang's face turned livid. "Youngest, is this the good son you raised? How dare he speak to me like that!"

"There's no need to bring my husband and son into this." Mother Lin was like a raging lion. "You're biased as a grandfather, so what gives you the right to expect the younger generation to be filial?"

"Actually, dividing the household would be pretty good. If Chenzi wants to learn martial arts, let Youngest Uncle's family find a way themselves."

Second Aunt muttered from the side. Her own family was also being drained by Lin Ming, and she had long wanted to divide the household.

Lin Chaoyang glared at his second daughter-in-law, then looked coldly at Mother Lin. "What if I refuse to agree to dividing the household?"

Mother Lin was utterly fearless. "Then we can leave the household undivided. But I'll go tell the whole village about this shameful business of ours. The grandfather is biased—his eldest grandson can spend dozens of taels learning martial arts, while his younger grandson receives not a single copper coin. Let's see whose reputation is ruined. Let's see whether your precious eldest grandson can still hold his head up in the village!"

Those words struck Grandfather's weak spot.

Lin Chaoyang's face turned livid, and his whole body trembled. He threatened, "If you divide the household, the family's fields will have nothing to do with your family."

"We don't want them. We only want the two mu of land we reclaimed ourselves. The Lin Family's fields can stay with your precious eldest grandson. Liang'er, Chenzi, let's go. This is no longer our home."

Lin Chen took a deep look at Grandfather, then turned and silently followed behind his mother. His elder brother Lin Liang, however, suddenly spat a thick glob of phlegm onto the ground. He hated this too.

He had thought Grandfather let Lin Ming learn martial arts because Lin Ming was the eldest and had gained the advantage of starting early. That was why he had willingly caught eels and delivered them to First Uncle's family. Now it seemed Grandfather cared only about Lin Ming.

He and Chenzi were nothing to him as grandsons.

"Liang'er, what are you doing?" First Uncle's expression hardened.

Lin Liang ignored him. He followed behind Lin Chen, the two of them supporting their mother as they walked out through the courtyard gate.

"Father, your son has been unfilial." Watching his wife and sons leave, Father Lin did not hesitate. He turned and followed them.

"Bastards! A bunch of bastards!"

Grandfather's furious voice rang far beyond the old residence...